Handle for electric switch blades



May 31, 1932. R. w. GRACE 1,861,269

HANDLE FOR ELECTRIC SWITCH BLADES Filed Feb. 17, 1930 my 2.. my 4. g t

1?. W race atkwmqd Patented May 31, 1932 ENE? TT'EZS ATEEET RICHARD W. GRACE, OF CANTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE SUPERIOR SWITCI-IBOARD & DEVICES COMPANY, OF CANTON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO HANDLE FOR ELECTRIC SWITCH BLADES Application filed February 17, 1930. Serial No. 428,989.

The invention relates to electric switches and more particularly to an insulation handle for the blades of such switches.

The object of the improvement is to provide a handle of bakelite, or suitable insulation material, adapted to be molded upon the end of a switch blade, so shaped that it may be easily grasped in the fingers to open or close the switch, and having an offset, re-

m cessed portion in its upper surface to receive a card or ticket bearing the number of the circuit or other desirable information.

A further object is to provide a handle which is equally adapted for use upon a single or multiple pole switch.

The above and other objects which will be obvious from the following detailed description, may be attained by forming the improved handle with a substantially flat upper surface, which may be knurled or roughened, and with downwardly inclined edges, one of which may be knurled to assist in gripping the handle to operate the switch blade to which it is fixed.

For the purpose of adapting the handle to use upon multiple pole switches, a transverse opening may be provided through the handle, having countersunk sockets at its ends, to receive a spacing tube and tie bolt.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a multiple pole switch, provided with the improved handle to which the invention pertains, parts being broken away for the purpose of illustration;

Fig. 2, a plan view of the switch shown in Fig. 1, parts being illustrated in section;

Fig. 3, an end view of a single pole switch provided with the improved handle; and

Fig. 4, a plan view of the switch illustrated in Fig. 3.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

The switch may be mounted upon an insulation block 10 or 10a of suitable size and shape depending upon whether a multiple or single pole switch is used. The switch blade has the straight portion 11, one end of which is pivoted as at 12 to the terminal clip 13, which may have the binding post or screw 14 electrically connected thereto in usual manner.

The upwardly inclined angular arm 15 is formed upon the switch blade at the opposite end thereof to the pivot 12; and this free end of the blade is adapted to contact with the jaws 16, to which may also be electrically connected a binding post or screw 17.

At 18 is indicated generally the improved handle, which is formed of bakelite, or other suitable insulation material, which is molded upon the inclined arm 15 of the switch blade.

This handle preferably has the flat top surface 19, the inner portion of which may be projecting and slightly inclined downward to locate its surface at the proper angle to the eyes of a person looking down thereon,rand having the offset groove20 formed therein to receive a card or ticket 21, bearing any desired information as indicated in Figs. 2 and 4.

Knurling or roughening, as indicated at 22, may be provided upon the flat top surface of the handle, and the outer edge 23, which is downwardly and inwardly inclined to be angularly disposed to said top surface, is also preferably knurled, as indicated at 24,- whereby the two knurled surfaces may be grasped between the thumb and fingers for opening or closing the switch.

For the purpose of adapting the handle to a multiple pole switch, a transverse opening 25 is formed through the handle, preferably near the top thereof, and provided at its ends with the countersunk sockets 26.

A spacing tube 27 of suitable length, and preferably formed of insulation material, is located between two adjacent handles molded on adjacent switch blades, as best shown in Fig. 2, the ends of the tube being received in the corresponding countersunk sockets 26 of the handles.

The two handles are held together in this spaced relation, as by a tie bolt 28, extended through the tube and through the openings 25 in the handles, the head 29 of the bolt, and the nut 30 thereon being received within the corresponding countersunk sockets 26 of the handles.

Although only two handles are illustrated in the drawings as being thus connected together, it will be obvious that three or more handles may thus be connected together in the same manner by providing a bolt of sufficient length, and additional spacing tubes.

I claim:

1. In combination with a switch blade having an angular free end portion, an insulation handle fixed upon said angular end portion, the insulation handle including a roughened top surface, a roughened end surface angularly disposed to the top surface, and a projection provided with a recess in its top surface adapted to receive an indicating card.

2. In combination with a switch blade having an angular free end portion, an insulation handle fixed upon said angular end portion, the insulation handle including a roughened top surface, a roughened end surface angularly disposed to the top surface, and a surface provided with a recess angularly disposed to the roughened top and end surfaces for mounting an indicating card.

3. In combination with two spaced switch blades, an insulating handle on each blade, each handle having a transverse opening therethrough, a spacing tube located between the handles and a tie bolt located through said tube and through the openings in the handles.

4. In combination with tWo spaced switch blades, an insulating handle on each blade,

each handle having a transverse opening therethrough, the openlngs having countersunk sockets at their ends, a spacing tube located between the handles and having its 5 ends located in said countersunk sockets, and

a tie bolt located through the tube and through the openings in the handles.

In testimony that I claim the above, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

RICHARD W. GRACE. 

